z.umn.edu/MURAJ The two-dimensional and three-dimensional sounds visualization ideation in understanding the feasibilities of urban skyway system and architectural designs Ka Yi Ho Abstract: This research paper focuses on the two-dimensional and three-dimensional sound- visualization ideations that can be implemented in digital models and assists architects to understand the feasibility of the skyway system. This idea is derived from Christenson’s “The skyway as an inhabitable mode of urban representation”, suggesting a perspective lens to see the skyway as an architectural interface, considers it as an analogous city to examine local particularities framing the existing question of the society with a historicist critique. The sound visualization tools can be used to explore skyway construction as an architecture interface to frame some questions in the existing society and consider the possibility of skyway as a sustainable inhabitable model of living. In this research, the Great Northern Hall in Lowertown, St Paul, was closely analyzed to understand part of the St. Paul Skyway. The building’s second floor level has incorporated the Skyway system in its mezzanine structures. This floor plan structure was used in our research to analyze the spatial relationship distributed in the system and how sounds distribute through spaces. The benefit of incorporating two-dimensional and three-dimensional sound visualizations allows architects to consider sound distribution through space in various building structures visually and redefine space function within the skyway to improve user experiences for all. 1. 0 Introduction the vision span at a specific point referring to In this paper, the Great Northern Hall in the size of the space (Christenson & Foobalan, the St. Paul Skyway system was closely studied 2012). This view serves as a model for our sound on its space distributions and probable sound visualization development template. The view distributions from points. This identified study guides us in exploring the potential of adding area of the skyway system was examined using audio and texture elements to perspectives of the Rhino Grasshopper composed definitions construction within the skyway system. The generated through Isolvist views. An Isolvist sound visualizations have potential for view represents a defined, realistic surface in development of two-dimensional visible sound space that allows a person to see a set of points wave spans (Figure 1.1) and three-dimensional in space. The Isolvist view allows us to read the volume pre-set audio spans from a preferred two-dimensional visible plan or three- user vantage point (Figure 1.2), demonstrating dimensional pre-set vantage point and interpret the relationships between hearing perception 1 FIGURE 1.0 Digital model of Great Northern Building and Galtier Plaza / Cray Tower by Erin Kindell and detail polished by Mike Christenson FIGURE 1.1 Digital model of two-dimensional sound representation in two-dimensional floor plan are randomly distributed in the air. The dots represent the air particles that are randomly distributed in the air. The model on the left represents no sound source. With the input sound’s source on the left upper corner in the skyway space of the floor plan, the sound waves then vibrate and travel through these air particles as radial waves (pink dots) or longitudinal waves (black dots) for 2D visual representations. FIGURE 1.1 a. on the upper right represents longitudinal waves in black dots. FIGURE 1.1 b. on the lower right represents radial waves in pink dots. MUMURRAAJ• z• z..umnumn.e.edduu/MUR/MURAAJJJ 22 Volume 4 • Issue 6 and sociology problems within the urban concept of understanding the underlying social environments or spatial bounded landscapes. structure behind human behaviors and In order to propose an urban skyway system interactions. The scientific and humanistic application in more places, it is essential to perspective of sound influences are considered consider the user experiences and the social within these studies. External and internal sound structure changes in terms of accessibility and sources are essential to analysis on building equity. The questions on feasibility of the sustainable structures of skyways. In addition to skyway system proposed another way of living scientific sustainability, the user experiences of in the future, where people re-define their way the skyway should be considered. Hearing is of travel on foot indoors and spatial definitions closely related to our perceptions of experiences, to boost efficiency and health outcomes. and pleasant experiences prompt sustainability To answer the feasibility question of the and stem further utilizations. For the skyway urban skyway system, the user feedback on the system to be more sustainable and feasible to St. Paul Skyway was collected to analyze the implement, representing and analyzing sound existing problem of the skyway for better user visually is vital. The ideas generated from this experience consideration in the future. This research will provide a gateway for the public to feedback was then integrated into the understand the importance of sound developmental function of visual sound representation in digital models and construct a representations in providing a deeper plan on sound representation development to understanding of the skyway system. This idea understand the feasibility of a skyway. The stems from a sociological approach on the feasibility of the skyway is an important question FIGURE 1.2 Digital model of three-dimensional sound representation in three-dimensional digital model. The green dots and red dots represent the random distribution of sound particles in the air. The red circle net is representing where there is an active sound source. In this graphic, the black silhouette person is talking and transmitting sound waves. MUMURRAAJ• z• z..umnumn.e.edduu/MUR/MURAAJJJ 3 Volume 4 • Issue 6 to examine. The skyway system changes our dimensional digital ideation on a sound traditional definition of space. Before the skyway representation that can be developed and system was incorporated in our society, people implemented in future architectural models. traveled on foot or vehicles outdoors to get to Fifth, we look into the existing user feedback to other buildings. The elevated pedway system analyze the feasibility and problems of our eliminates the problem of traveling outdoors and existing skyway. Finally, we decide on features in emerged as a replacement for street passage. the sounds visualization ideation that can boost Users can access the skyway from the street level architects designers’ understanding of user of a building to travel in the elevated pedway to experiences of sounds and feasibility, making another building for convenience. Skyway user sure the skyway is sustainable. feedback was evaluated to consider the user comfort and feasibility of the skyway system. 2.1 Identify the geographic area Christenson’s “The Skyway as an inhabitable We first looked at the location of the pedestrian mode of urban representation” inspired the passage and the surrounding floors. We mainly development of this research, considering the analyzed the Great Northern Buildings in the humanistic perspective on alternative ways of center of St. Paul, a densely populated area. We street passing to destinations and separation of used three maps and one floor plan to observe passenger transit. These questions are integrated the building and surrounding context. The Great into the ideation model of sound representation Northern building floor plan lays out the spatial to allow architects to understand the humanistic distribution and floor structure inside, which and scientific perspective of their building assists us to see how this skyway fits into this models, knowing that hearing cues aid in building and its purpose. Subsequently, we designing and building more sustainable, user- looked at the skyway map provided by the St. friendly structures. This sound representation Paul City Council to examine the elevated model allows us to have a more comprehensive pedway connecting buildings (City Council Of understanding of the skyway system and any Saint Paul, 2020). After identifying its spatial applicable digital models for better feasibility distribution, we then used the three-dimensional design and user experiences. model of the building to observe the architecture. We analyzed the volunteer commentary on the 2.0 Materials and Methods St. Paul Lowertown skyway website, and the pros The general research plan comprises five and cons that people encountered when parts. First, we identify the geographic area accessing the building are listed in the discussion within the Saint Paul Skyway system for detailed section. The metric is if the descriptions fall into study. Second, we utilize and modify tools (ex. one category of our pros and cons, then we mark Rhino’s Grasshopper plug-in) for a graphic one on it. The Google street view (Figure 1.3) analysis of feasibility questions. Third, we test on allows us to see how pedestrians enter the these tools within the identified study area and building from the outside (Google, 2020). within other segments of the skyway system. Fourth, we create two-dimensional and three- 2. 2 Development of tools MUMURRAAJ• z• z..umnumn.e.edduu/MUR/MURAAJJJ 4 Volume 4 • Issue 6 FIGURE 1.3 The Great Hall Google Map with embedded ortho view of Digital model of Great Northern Building and Galtier Plaza / Cray Tower by Erin Kindell (Google,